Company acquisition
ABB acquires ASTI Mobile Robotics Group
ABB has announced the acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics Group (ASTI), a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMR). The company has a comprehensive product portfolio of automated guided vehicles for all major applications, supported by its own software suite.
ABB is thus expanding its range of robotic automation solutions and is the only company to offer a complete portfolio for the next generation of flexible automation. The acquisition is an integral part of ABB's growth strategy. The purchase agreement was signed on July 19 and the transaction is expected to close during the summer. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
ASTI was founded in 1982, is headquartered in Burgos, Spain, and employs more than 300 people in Spain, France and Germany. The company is majority-owned by CEO Veronica Pascual Boé. Other shareholders include the European growth investor Keensight Capital. Today, the company supports one of the largest AMR fleets in Europe and has a broad customer base in 20 countries in the automotive, logistics, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. Since 2015, the company has recorded annual growth of almost 30 percent. For 2021, ASTI expects a turnover of around 50 million US dollars.
"With its industry-leading portfolio, comprehensive software suite and deep expertise in key growth segments, ASTI is the perfect company for us to support our customers with the next generation of flexible automation," said Sami Atiya, head of ABB's Robotics & Factory Automation business. "ABB is now the only company with a complete automation portfolio of AMR, robots and machine automation solutions - from production to logistics to the end user. With our offering, we create great added value for our customers: they can adapt to individual consumer wishes and take advantage of the opportunities arising from the fundamental changes in consumer behavior."
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